The idea behind På 123 is simple; To give outstanding artists the opportunity to immerse themselves in the music of a single composer over three intense days. Children and young people join the entire journey of discovery — both as performers and as audience members — and are invited to encounter the music on its own terms.
Beethoven — 200 years on: Ludwig van Beethoven — perhaps the greatest of them all for the Engegård Quartet — died on 26 March 1827. In the anniversary year of 2027, the quartet will mark the 200th anniversary of his death with three classical mini-festivals devoted to Beethoven’s early, middle and late periods.
World–class musicians will come to Oslo to interpret his music, while the Engegård Quartet itself will perform all 16 of Beethoven’s string quartets — a body of work that forever created a decisive “before” and “after” in the history of music.
We promise immersion, fresh perspectives on music you may already know, and discoveries capable of surprising even the most seasoned Beethoven listener.
Did you know, for instance, that Beethoven also wrote music for a ballet?
A major Beethoven celebration in 2027! This could become Norway’s most extensive Beethoven venture in chamber music in 2027 — bringing together world-class stars, children and young people, cross-disciplinary artistic encounters and deep local roots.
You may have noticed that there is no På 123 festival in 2026. The reason is simple: The Engegård Quartet is dedicating the year to preparing this great anniversary celebration.
We hope you will forgive us one year’s pause when the reward is three festivals to look forward to in 2027.
The Engegård Quartet
Festival organiser Engegård Quartet is one of Norway’s most sought-after chamber ensembles. The quartet is renowned for its bold, fresh and vibrant interpretations of the classical repertoire, while at the same time nurturing and carrying forward its distinctive Scandinavian musical character.
The ensemble has earned broad international acclaim and forged close collaborations with some of the world’s leading chamber musicians. The result is concert programming marked by artistic excellence, curiosity and rich diversity.
